The primary goal of the Counseling Department is to assist students in becoming self-directed individuals. Throughout their experiences at Annapolis High School students will be faced with making decisions regarding their career, education and personal life. Counselors are experienced and trained in the kinds of problems that confront today's students and are always ready to assist students with their personal goals. Some of the services available through the counseling staff include the following:
Educational Counseling: The high school counselor works with each student to develop a relevant and meaningful plan of work for the four years of attendance at Annapolis High School. Parent, student and counselor input is necessary for the development of the plan of work. It is suggested that each student have realistic post graduate goals to work toward during their high school years.
Career Center: The Career Center, located in the Media Center, offers both print and non-print materials, videos and computer programs to provide career awareness and exploration. Students are encouraged to visit in order to make career decisions, investigate post-secondary education opportunities and seek related financial aid information. The Media/Career Center is open before and after school, during two lunch periods, and is available for use during the school day.
Career Pathways: Career pathways are a set of defined academic, career-technical programs, college or university programs that lead students to a successful and fulfilling career. The Michigan Career Preparation System uses the six categories or pathways listed below. Each contains information on the traits and characteristics included in the pathway. Career Pathway Assessment forms may be found at the Library Media/Career Center and in the counseling office.
Career Counseling: Making career and job choices are some of the more important decisions that young people must make. Students are encouraged to use the expertise of the counseling staff and are often referred to the media center where they can access career software to assist them in making career decisions.
College-Bound and Standardized Testing: PSAT - NMSQT - The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is offered annually in October to all juniors. Any junior planning on attending college should take this test. A fee is assessed.
SAT - The Scholastic Aptitude Test is available to juniors and seniors. Students should see their counselors for the dates, time and cost.
ACT - The American College Test is available for juniors and seniors. This test is required for admission by most colleges in the State of Michigan and is used by the State of Michigan to select Michigan Competitive Scholarship recipients. Please see your counselor for testing dates and times. There is a fee assessed.
Vocational Aptitude - ASVAB - The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. This test is optional to any junior and senior. Since ASVAB is a vocational aptitude test, its primary value is in relating the test scores to jobs in the vocational-technical fields.
PLAN - The PLAN is designed by the American College Testing Program (ACT) and is comprehensive assessment that will give your tenth grader an "edge" in planning and preparing for the post-high school years. As this is the pre-test for students that take the ACT, the school district gives this test to all sophomores to gage their readiness for the ACT that they will take as juniors as part of the Michigan Merit Exam (MME).
MME - The Michigan Merit Exam is administered in the spring of the junior year and the fall of the Freshman year. This test is used by the State of Michigan to evaluate achievement of students in science, mathematics, communication arts, and social studies. Students can qualify for the Merit Scholarship (MI Promise) by taking this test. The test is comprised of the ACT and State developed tests. The ACT scores will be accepted by colleges, but not by the NCAA for college athletic eligibility.
| 9th Grade |
MME – Social Studies |
| 10th Grade |
PLAN |
| 11th Grade |
Michigan Merit Exam |
| 11th Grade |
PSAT-NMSQT - The Preliminary Scholastic
Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test |
| 11th/12th Grade |
American College Test (ACT) |
| 11th/12th Grade |
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) |
| 11th/12th Grade |
ASVAB - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test |
College Applications: Students are urged to begin the application process in September of their senior year. The application deadlines vary from college to college. Michigan college applications are available in the counseling office. Out-of-state college applications must be obtained by the student. See your counselor for the address and contact person. Counselors request that every effort be made by students to have their applications in by Christmas of their senior year.
Financial Aid: Financial aid forms for colleges are available in the office in December.
Personal Counseling: Personal problems are a frequent cause of lower performance in school. Through personal or group counseling, students can learn ways of solving problems that currently exist. In addition, they learn a method that can be used in future problem solving. Counseling of this nature is always conducted on a confidential basis. Types of personal counseling that are available include:
- Teacher referrals - students with behavioral or personal problems
- Crisis counseling
- Peer counseling
